Manchester United Formation Next Season: A Fluid 3-5-2?

When Louis van Gaal is with Netherlands he played a fluid 5-3-2 formation and Netherlands achieve the third in World Cup 2014. Van Gaal’s system is based on Netherlands total football philosophy which mean every player should defense together as team and also attack as a team. Wingers is the core of van Gaal’s strategy and he had the best winger in the world, Arjen Robben. When he officially take control of Manchester United Van Gaal apply this system to the team and leaving the old system of Sir Alex 4-4-2. The same core of van Gaal formation and Sir Alex is the wing, Ryan Giggs was the irreplaceable left wing Sir Alex for the left and for the right Manchester United had David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and the recent Antonio Valencia. (CR 7 was exclusion in this matter because he played both in right wing or the left regards to the strategy).Ashley Young has his own thought about the new formation.

just-football.com

In an interview with the club media Ashley Young said, “It (the formation) was fluid. There was a lot of space for us to get on the ball and LA Galaxy were not able to cope with that. We tried it in training and we have tried it in a match scenario. This will be the formation we take going forward.” He added, “When we defend, we defend as a team. When we attack, we attack as a team. The players are interchangeable.”In the recent wing formation by Van Gaal, Antonio Valencia act not as pure winger but as wing back. This remind me of Dirk Kuyt position in Netherland formation. Kuyt could play as a striker and as a winger in his club but van Gaal explore his abilities in defense. I would guess van Gaal use the abilities of cutting inside of the his wide player. Both Kuyt and Valencia has the speed and dribbling abilities to tear opponent wide side. Valencia is not a striker but he has good crossing ability, when he gets to the box he would unleash a hard shoot to test goal keeper. Valencia homework is to sharpen his defense.

As for midfielder Louis van Gaal need to find a back up player for Ander Herrera. The Spaniard proves his assist abilities in the LA Galaxy game. He provide Manchester United strikers who has a good pace a perfect trough ball. However I wonder if Ander could swiftly adapt in English Premier League competition which show midfielder prone to injuries because harsh tackle. I do not say Spain’s La Liga malleable league but the different of the culture would get him culture shock. Van Gaal race for Arturo Vidal sign could make United midfield perfect. The question is would La Vechia Signora or the Old Lady (Juventus nickname) take Manchester United offer of 40 millions pounds?

To play offensive 5-3-2 Manchester United not only need a strong attacking squad but also a good defenders. The trio young defenders Smalling, Jones, and Evans had their test last match against LA Galaxy and according to Guardian only Jones who played well in the match. Smalling, and Evans reported to play not in their best condition. Both of them are making principle error that lead danger to United goal. David de Gea performance to stop the chances by La Galaxy players show his quality as the next Man United goal keeper legend. Louis van Gaal is surely will review his defender. If de Gea and Jones considered suit to the system than Smalling and Evans need a lot of hard work to prove themselves.

Manchester United’s pre-season tour in United States against big teams of European League will prove van Gaal system. La Galaxy, I do not intend to lower MLS club, is not the best opponent to decide van Gaal new system for Man United suitable for the next season. The match against A.S. Roma, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan should be a real test case for van Gaal system. Contrary to my opinion, Ashley Young said the new formation .. suited .. perfectly.